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Function Range Calculator

Enter quadratic or square root function to automatically determine range based on vertex and opening direction

Select Function Type
Enter quadratic parameters (y = ax² + bx + c)
y = x² + x +

Common Function Range Rules

Quadratic y=ax²+bx+c (a>0): range [y₀, +inf), y₀=(4ac-b²)/(4a)
Quadratic y=ax²+bx+c (a<0): range (-inf, y₀], y₀=(4ac-b²)/(4a)
Square root y=√(ax+b): range [0, +inf)
Linear y=ax+b (a≠0): range (-inf, +inf)

Finding the range requires determining the function type and properties. For quadratics, use completing the square or the vertex formula. For rational functions, analyze numerator/denominator constraints.

Vertex formula: x₀ = -b/(2a), extremum y₀ = (4ac-b²)/(4a). Opening upward (a>0) means y₀ is the minimum; opening downward (a<0) means y₀ is the maximum.

What Is the Range of a Function?

The range is the set of all possible output values (y) that a function can produce as x takes every value in the domain. Finding the range is a core part of function analysis.

Definition

The range is the set of all possible function outputs, forming one of the three essential elements along with domain and mapping rule.

Vertex Method

For quadratics y=ax²+bx+c, vertex x₀=-b/(2a), extremum y₀=(4ac-b²)/(4a). Opening direction determines range.

Completing the Square

Rewrite as vertex form y = a(x-x₀)² + y₀ to directly read the vertex and determine the range.

Common Ranges

Linear: R; upward quadratic: [y₀, +inf); downward quadratic: (-inf, y₀]; square root: [0, +inf).

Teaching Example: Find the range of y = -x² + 4x - 1.
1. Complete square: y = -(x² - 4x) - 1 = -(x - 2)² + 4 - 1 = -(x - 2)² + 3
2. Vertex (2, 3), a = -1 < 0, opens downward
3. Vertex is maximum → range = (-inf, 3], max y = 3

Applications

High School Math Quadratic Functions Function Extrema Word Problems Exam Prep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the range of a function?
The range is the set of all possible output values (y) that the function can produce as x varies over the entire domain.
How do you find the range of a quadratic?
For y=ax²+bx+c: a>0 (upward) range = [y₀,+inf); a<0 (downward) range = (-inf,y₀], where y₀ is the vertex extremum.
How do you find the vertex of a quadratic?
Vertex (x₀, y₀) where x₀ = -b/(2a), y₀ = (4ac-b²)/(4a). Or complete the square to vertex form y = a(x-x₀)² + y₀.
What is the range of a linear function?
For y=ax+b (a≠0), the range is all real numbers R, because ax+b covers R as x varies over R.

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